Fatal Labor Day Weekend Crashes Total 17 In Virginia

VIRGINIA — The trend of fatal crashes over Labor Day weekend in Virginia hasn't changed this year. According to preliminary data from Virginia State Police, the 17 fatal crashes matched the number over the same holiday weekend in 2019.

The holiday statistical counting period ran for four days from Friday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 7. The 17 fatalities occurred in 15 traffic crashes across Virginia. The 2020 and 2019 numbers were higher than the 14 fatalities over the 2018 Labor Day weekend and five over the 2017 Labor Day weekend.

According to state police, most crashes happened after dark, and at least five fatalities involved a person not wearing a seatbelt. The locations of the fatalities were the counties of Augusta, Bland, Campbell, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico, Isle of Wight, Stafford and Westmoreland, the Town of Leesburg and the cities of Chesapeake, Newport News and Roanoke.

"The 2020 traffic fatality statistics continue to trend in an unacceptable direction and with 116 additional crashes with injuries over the holiday weekend, I fear that preliminary number of deaths may still increase," said Col. Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent. "It is very possible that five of those who lost their lives could have been saved if they would have taken two seconds and secured their seatbelts. I know this year has been stressful and everyone wants to enjoy a holiday weekend, but every decision you make, both before and while you are at the wheel, can affect if you or someone else on the road makes it safely home."

As reported by WTVR, a fatal Fairfax County crash happened on Interstate 95 near the Occoquan River bridge on Saturday. A tractor-trailer was reported to lose control and hit two other vehicles. The driver of one vehicle, Ana Beatriz Cruz-Bonilla, 33, of Washington, DC, died from injuries, and a passenger was injured.

On Friday, Leesburg Police reported a fatal crash in the unit block of Catoctin Circle SE. Investigations determined a driver was heading southbound and entered the opposing lanes of traffic, struck a vehicle, left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver, Cody Michael Redwood-Nilsen, 26, of Purcellville, died on scene. The driver of the struck vehicle was not injured.

In addition, Virginia State Police said the city of Roanoke had three fatal crashes, including two involving pedestrians. Henrico County and the city of Newport News each had one traffic crash that resulted in two deaths.

There were a total of 484 crashes investigated by state police over the holiday weekend. State troopers stopped 4,550 drivers for speeding, 1,561 for reckless driving, arrested 55 drivers for DUI/DUID and 445 for seat belt violations. Funds from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go to court fees and the state's Literary Fund to benefit public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement. In addition, state troopers assisted 1,465 drivers in disabled or stranded vehicles.

State police participated in two enforcement campaigns over Labor Day weekend. The Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort between Friday and Monday focused on reducing crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by impaired driving, speeding and failing to use occupant restraints. The other enforcement, Checkpoint Strikeforce, was a DUI enforcement and education program sponsored by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program. Whether driving on a holiday weekend or not, state police urge drivers to not drive impaired, tired, distracted or without a seatbelt.